The Last Up Scout: My Last Boy Scout and Up Theory

Prior to recording episode 216 The Last Boy Scout, Oz and I pondered on an unexpected topic. Could two movies that seemingly have absolutely nothing in common … exist in a shared universe? Therefore, I present factual, empirically-driven evidence proving that The Last Boy Scout exists in the same timeline as Up.

The Last Boy Scout is set in Los Angeles in 1991. Private Detective Joe Hallenbeck teams up with disgraced former L.A. Stallions quarterback Jimmy Dix to thwart a scheme to legalize sports betting that involved assassinating a U.S. Senator. Along the way, Joe learns that his wife Sarah is cheating on him with his best friend. Additionally, we meet Joe’s tough-as-nails, precocious thirteen-year-old daughter Darian, who saves Joe and Jimmy from being killed before she herself is taken hostage and later saved by Joe. Physically and emotionally unavailable for his daughter, Darian resents Joe for working long hours and for not taking care of himself or his family. When they are together, their resentment transforms into hostility, as they often insult and verbally abuse each other. The movie ends with Joe and Jimmy defeating the bad guys and Sarah apologizing to Joe for cheating on him. Joe says “F*** you, Sarah” to his wife as she hugs him, never reflecting on or apologizing for his role in their deteriorating relationship. Sarah backs up Joe as he corrects Darian for cursing. The movie cuts to credits as Joe hangs out with Jimmy, pondering their future partnership.

Up is set in Oakland in 2009, eighteen years after the events of The Last Boy Scout. Elderly widower Carl Fredricksen, grieving the loss of his childhood sweetheart Ellie, decides to live out their dreams of moving their home to South America. Harnessing the power of helium, Carl uses an untold amount of balloons to fly his home thousands of miles to Paradise Falls, presumably in Venezuela. Tagging along is Russell, a 9-year-old boy scout, who sources speculate is of mixed Asian and white descent. Russell is resourceful but also finds himself wrapped up in dangerous situations. The movie ends with the characters back in Oakland with Carl assuming a father/grandfather role in Russell’s life.

I’ll save the witty banter and cut to the chase – Russell is Darian’s son. Darian, observing that Joe is still not taking responsibility for his actions, remains bitter towards her father. Additionally, she grows spiteful of Sarah, as her guilt allows Joe to walk all over her. Consummating their relationship, Joe spends most of his time (and money) with his new professional and intimate partner, Jimmy. Placating the now-docile and oblivious Sarah and all but ignoring Darian, his daughter leaves home the moment she graduates from high school. Putting herself through community college, Darian uses her resourcefulness to become a certified HVAC technician. After a long job repairing a commercial refrigerator at a Korean restaurant, Darian shares a passionate and torrid relationship with the owner, resulting in their elopement and her pregnancy with Russell. Noticing similarities between Russell’s father and Joe, Darian files for divorce just six months after Russell’s birth. Determines to be a better parent for Russell than Joe and Sarah were to her, she fights for and wins sole custody. Remembering how Joe would glow when Jimmy would longingly call Joe “boyscout,” Darian co-opted that same nickname for Russell. That pet name would ironically become literal, as Russell, inheriting Darian’s inventiveness and dextrousness, joined the boyscouts, leading to the beginning of Up. 

Despite my proof and evidence, some may argue otherwise. For example, conspiracy theorists may point out that Russell’s mother, who we briefly see at the end of Up at a boy scout badging ceremony, appears to have Asian features. I remind our readers and viewers that the scene in question is a clearly fantasy sequence. Carl, in his final moments and in the throes of braindeath, imagines himself at his happiest, celebrating Russell’s boy scout accomplishments with Russell’s mother. As Carl eats ice cream with Russell after the ceremony, the camera pans up to the sky, signifying Carl’s soul reuniting with Ellie.

There you have it, inarguable proof that The Last Boy Scout and Up exist in a shared timeline. I mean, if Anaconda and The Remains of the Day can share a universe, why can’t The Last Boy Scout and Up? If you disagree, Come at Me, Bruh!